15
CASH
I LOOK OVER AT EVERLY , who’s been typing furiously at my desk for two hours straight.
Carol gave me a heads-up that she was coming after I asked her to pick up lunch, but she asked me not to tell Everly that I knew. Regardless, I’m glad Everly came.
After we ate, she checked her email on her laptop, and I suggested she finish her workday here with me. The security guard stationed in the building’s lobby confirmed Richard had left the building shortly after our confrontation. Still, I didn’t want to risk Everly going back to the Townstead offices if he was there waiting for her.
Seeing him stand so close to her while he reprimanded her filled me with rage. It brought back memories of the awful things he said to her over the phone when we were in Aspen Grove.
I instructed security to prevent him from entering the building in the future. Then I emailed Harrison to loop him in on what happened. I told him to keep Richard away unless he wants me facing legal action for battery and assault.
Regardless of what happens with Everly and me after we settle this business arrangement, I’ll make sure she never has to work for her dad again. Hell, I’ll do everything in my power to ensure she never has to see him again if she doesn’t want to.
“Is everything okay?” Everly asks when she catches me watching her.
“Yeah, but it’s getting late.” I gesture to the darkening sky outside the window. “We should head out soon.”
“Oh, okay.” She frowns. “But I still have a lot of work to finish.”
“Why don’t we grab a bite to eat, and you can finish once we get back to the apartment?”
I text Fallon to say I won’t pick up our usual meal tonight. If the circumstances were different, I would be more remorseful for giving Everly the impression that I cook for her, but it’s been a way to get her to lower her defenses and spend time with me.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out to see that I have an unread text.
Mom’s Favorites Group Chat
Mom: I haven’t heard from either of you for days. Are you alright?
Cash: I’m in my honeymoon phase. What’s your excuse, Presley?
Cash: Unless you have some news to share?
Mom: Presley?!?!
Presley: Very funny Cash.
Cash: I thought so.
Mom: So you and Jack still aren’t engaged?
Presley: Sorry to disappoint you mom.
Mom: As long as you’re happy, I’m happy too.
Cash: She wouldn’t say that if you and Jack broke up.
Mom: Cash, don’t joke about that.
Cash: You’re right. Then you’d have to work overtime to find Presley another man.
Mom: I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Presley: Don’t worry Mom, Jack and I aren’t breaking up.
Mom: Thank God.
Mom: Cash, how is Everly?
Cash: Good. She stopped by my office this afternoon so I’m taking her out to dinner.
Mom: I’m happy to hear that. She deserves to be spoiled.
Presley: Mom’s right. The best way to a woman’s heart is with food and with her favorite things.
Cash: Thanks for the advice.
Presley: That’s why I’m your favorite.
Mom: We don’t have favorites in this family.
Cash: Is now a good time to remind you to check the name of the chat?
Mom: Presley, you promised you’d change it.
Presley: I have to go. Jack just walked into my office.
Cash: Talk to you both later.
I put my phone away before my mom asks me to change the chat name That’s between her and Presley, and I know better than to intervene.
I let out a low groan when I stand up. My back is stiff from sitting on the uncomfortable rolling chair for hours. I had Everly use my desk while I used the one I found in the janitor’s closet during my first week here. Carol told me I should get an extra chair in my office for visitors, even offered to order me one but I refused.
I make a mental note to contact Marcus, to decorate my office with more comfortable chairs, a bookshelf, and a few plants. When Everly visits my office, I want her to feel at home.
That means I should also have Marcus decorate my place too.
Everly’s asked about it in passing, but I’ve deflected by telling her Marcus has been busy with another project, which is somewhat true. He’s currently decorating some pop star’s London apartment, but he would make time for another project if I asked.
I’m not ready for Everly to have her own room. We’ve only lived together for a short time, but now my entire world revolves around her. Every morning, I wake up with her snuggled beside me, then spend the day counting the hours until I can see her again.
We’ve fallen into a comfortable routine, and I’m getting attached. I might be playing with fire, but being near Everly makes me want more time with her.
“Have a wonderful night,” Carol says, waving from her desk as we leave my office.
Everly waves back with a grin. “Thanks, you too.”
I can’t shake the pang of jealousy I feel at how freely she shows fondness for Carol, even though they just met in person today. Meanwhile, I have to work around the clock to earn every smile, laugh, or hint of amusement. I’m addicted to the sound of Everly’s melodic laugh and the way her face lights up when she smiles. Her happiness makes all the effort worthwhile, though, and I’ll keep at it for as long as she lets me.
“Oh, Cash, hold on a sec,” Carol says, motioning me over to her desk. “Before you leave, I think there’s something wrong with your calendar.”
“What is it?” I ask, leaning in to look at her computer screen.
“You have an interview scheduled tomorrow for 8:00 a.m.” She points to the early morning meeting. “Should I call the candidate and reschedule?”
“No, eight works for me,” I assure her. “But thanks for confirming.”
My chat with Harrison last week prompted me to reflect on my current role at Stafford Holdings. I genuinely enjoy the work I do as COO, but my bad work habits aren’t doing anyone any favors, including myself. I’m tired of being perceived as the guy who coasts on his brothers’ achievements.
More importantly, I want Harrison to be proud of me and to prove my worth, which starts with arriving at the office on time and putting in a full day’s work. As a first step, I updated my availability for interviews I have scheduled in the upcoming weeks.
“Yeah, no problem,” Carol says, jotting on a sticky note. “I’ll see you bright and early then.” She appears uncertain about how to interpret my newfound commitment.
“Sure thing.” I nod. “Ready to go?” I ask Everly.
“Yup, lead the way.”
As we walk past the reception area toward the bank of elevators, the only sound is the click of Everly’s red stilettos against the marble floor. I can’t resist stealing a glance downward, admiring the sight of her smooth, toned legs.
The other night, I caught a glimpse of red-laced panties in her laundry basket, and I immediately picture that she has them on now under her black pleated skirt. God, what I wouldn’t give to trace my hand up her thigh, lifting her skirt to get a peek.
The ding of the elevator grabs my attention, breaking me out of my fantasy.
When the elevator doors open, I motion for Everly to enter first and follow after her. We’re the only two in the confined space, so I press the button for the lobby.
Everly lets out a loud inhale as we begin our descent.
“Are you ok—”
The flickering of lights cuts my question short, and the elevator comes to a grinding halt halfway to the lobby.
I glance over to see Everly move to the back of the elevator, staring wide-eyed at the doors. Despite my repeated attempts, they remain shut when I press the lobby button. A growing sense of unease washes over me when I pick up the emergency phone and no one answers.
My worry eases slightly when I check my phone to see that I have service. I try calling Carol, but she doesn’t pick up. I send texts to both her and the building maintenance supervisor, informing them that Everly and I are trapped and require immediate help.
The lights flicker again before going out completely.
Fuck, that can’t be good.
This is a recipe for disaster. We’re confined in a small, dark box—a scenario straight out of Everly’s nightmares—and there’s nothing I can do except wait for someone to rescue us.
“Oh my god,” she cries, her breathing growing panicked. “We’re literally hovering in midair without power. We’re definitely going to die.”
I’m quick to turn on the flashlight on my phone and set it on the ground to illuminate the space. When I turn around, Everly is now cowering in the corner, clinging to the railing.
“Ev, I’m right here. Everything will be okay,” I reassure her as I rush to her side.
I encircle her with my arms, guiding her to the nearest wall and coaxing her to the ground. Once we’re both settled, I bring her onto my lap, her lack of protest indicating shock.
I stretch out my legs, figuring I might as well get comfortable since there’s no telling how long we’ll be here. Everly tightens her grip at the nape of my neck, resting her head against my chest, gasping for air.
“Shh, I’ve got you. You’re safe with me,” I whisper against her ear. “Take a deep breath for me, okay? Inhale deeply for five counts, then exhale slowly for another five.” She mimics the exercise, her lip quivering as she does. “You’re doing well. Let’s do it again,” I praise, encouraging her to continue.
She nods as she takes another deep breath, this time counting out loud with me. “One, two, three, four, five…”
We repeat the routine several times, and her breathing evens out. I’m surprised when she cuddles into my chest, nuzzling her nose into my neck.
“This is why I prefer taking the stairs,” Everly rasps, her voice trembling. “What are the odds we’d get stuck in this death trap?”
I suppress a laugh, not wanting her to think I’m not taking her concerns seriously. I have the most beautiful woman in my arms, so it wouldn’t be the worst way to go.
“We could set up caution tape in front of the elevator, like they do on The Big Bang Theory ,” I suggest. “Then we’ll never have to worry about anyone getting stuck again.”
Everly chuckles at my suggestion. “I’m glad you’re here,” she murmurs, gazing up at me with those big brown eyes.
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be,” I assure her as I tug her closer, kissing her on the forehead.
“I have a phobia of being trapped inside small spaces, particularly when they can move.” She plays with the top button of my shirt while she explains. “When I was eleven, my mom and I got stuck in an elevator at my dad’s office. The lights went out and she didn’t have her phone, so we sat in the dark for an hour before we were rescued. Since then, I’ve avoided elevators when I can.”
“I’m afraid of clowns,” I blurt, wanting to make her feel better about her fear. “When I turned five, my mom hired a clown for my birthday party. An hour before the party started, I fell asleep on the couch in the living room. When I woke up with a clown hovering over my bed, it scared the living shit out of me.” I shudder at the memory.
“Clowns?” Everly chuckles. “The great Cash Stafford is afraid of clowns? Oh, this is too good.”
“I swear to god, Ev, if you tell my brothers, I’ll never forgive you,” I warn.
I’m only half joking. I’ve gone to great lengths to keep my fear under wraps because Dylan and Harrison would tease me mercilessly if they ever found out. The idea of enduring years of clown-related pranks sends a chill down my spine.
Everly brushes her thumb against my scar, her brow deepening. “Thanks for trusting me enough to share. Your secret is safe with me,” she vows.
I rest my hand against hers, holding it in place. Who knows when I’ll get another chance to hold her this close again (when she’s awake), so I’m savoring her touch while I can.
“What are you thinking?” I ask.
“Would you do anything different the night of your accident if you could go back?” she whispers as she runs her finger along my scar.
That night, I’d been on my way to Theo and Everly’s house during a bad snowstorm. I stopped to help Ruth, an elderly woman who lived in Aspen Grove. Her car had broken down and I offered her a ride into town. After I helped her into my car, she remembered she’d left her purse in the passenger seat of her vehicle.
I had just stepped out of my car when an SUV came barreling around the bend and hit a patch of ice. The last thing I saw were two headlights coming straight toward me, and then everything went black. The police report said I was thrown into the vehicle’s windshield.
I woke up in the hospital a week later with bandages covering half my face and had to undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries. Even with all that work, the left side of my face was still a mangled mess.
“There’s nothing I would change,” I state. “I might have a fucked-up face, but there’s no telling what would have happened if Ruth had been standing in the road instead of me.”
The doctors said it was a miracle that I didn’t suffer more severe injuries and credited it to my youth and resilience. It also helped that my parents flew in the best surgeons to help with my recovery.
“Oh, Cash,” Everly sighs. “I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. When I said your scar was sexy, I meant it.” She shakes her head, dismissing my attempt to argue. “It’s a testament to the sacrifice you made to help someone in need. Sure, you’re undeniably attractive, but it’s your compassion, charisma, and personality that make you irresistible. You’re a genuinely good person, and that can’t be replicated.”
God, how does she do that? With a few simple words, she makes me feel like I truly matter. Everly sees the best in me, even when I can’t, and is helping to shift my perspective.
She adjusts in my lap, pausing when her ass brushes against my cock. Her eyes widen as she sits up, glancing down to see how much she affects me.
Unable to resist, I move my hand to the small of her back, trailing my fingers along the fabric of her shirt in a hypnotic fashion. She doesn’t move as I lean in to tuck her hair behind her ear, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple. I exhale slowly, the air brushing against the side of her face, and a soft moan escapes her lips. She moves her hand between us to rest against my slacks. At first, I think it’s an accident until she grazes the outline of where my cock is pressing against the fabric.
Her action leaves me stunned, caught up in a lust-induced haze. I don’t dare break the silence, unwilling to shatter the spell of the moment.
I groan when she moves her fingers in a circular motion, teasing me. Even with material between me and her hand, it feels like fucking nirvana.
God, this woman is trying to kill me.
Everly gazes up at me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “This doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with you, Stafford,” she whispers, moving forward to nip at my bottom lip while her hand is still on my crotch.
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself, Ev?” She moans when I run my tongue across the seam of her lips. I grab her hand and push our joined fingers firmly against my hard-on. “After this, you’ll be consumed with thoughts of my cock deep inside you, claiming you as my wife, inch by inch.”
Just as her mouth parts, welcoming me in for a taste, the lights come back on. I blink rapidly as I adjust to the brightness. As the doors squeak open, Carol and the maintenance supervisor poke their heads inside.
“Are you alright?” she asks us with a knowing smile.
“We’re fine,” Everly squeaks as she scrambles from my lap.
She acts like we’re high school kids getting caught behind the bleachers. As far as Carol knows, I was getting frisky with my wife, making the most of the honeymoon stage, and she doesn’t seem fazed one bit.
Everly straightens her skirt and retrieves her purse from the ground.
“Thanks for saving us,” she says to the maintenance man before darting past him and disappearing down the hall.
“Great timing,” I mumble.
“You’re not the first man who wasn’t happy to be rescued,” he says with a chuckle.
“How many times has this elevator broken down?” I ask, alarmed.
He shrugs. “A few.”
Everly’s preference for the stairs might be a smart move, but if another elevator mishap means we can continue where we left off, I’m game for it any day.